Vikram Verma ’87, Technology Pioneer
What does it take to find your path in the world? According to Vik, it is a simple, four-step process. Currently the chief executive officer of Silicon Valley-based 8×8, Inc., Verma is a frequent speaker who shares how four defining moments in his life have translated into this four-step process: (1) take a chance; (2) give your best, and the results will come; (3) be honest with yourself, and know your limitations; and (4) when you find your calling, go for it, and don’t let go.
Vik earned his bachelor of science in electrical engineering from Florida Tech in 1987. Of his time at Florida Tech, he said, “Florida Tech taught me the value of hard work, commitment, and focusing on the fundamentals. I’ve parlayed that into my company’s motto: ‘Use technology to solve real-world problems cost-effectively. The rest will take care of itself.’”
Verma has a distinguished twenty-five- year executive career with leading technology companies and holds eight patents. He loves to take complex technology and translate it into products and services that create value for people everywhere. The World Economic Forum in Davos named him one of 2003’s top forty “Technology Pioneers” in the world for his early work at Savi on RFID and the Internet of Things, which revolutionized worldwide container tracking and security. Now Vik focuses on revolutionizing enterprise communications everywhere with 8×8’s ground-breaking unified communications and contact center technology. June 19, 2018, was a historic day as he had the honor of ringing the opening bell on the New York Stock Exchange, signaling 8×8’s move from NASDAQ.
Verma previously served as Savi Technology’s engineering vice president before becoming its chief operating officer and later, president and CEO. He grew Savi from a startup to a multi-million dollar business and led its acquisition by Texas Instruments (TI). Later, Verma bought back Savi from TI and eventually sold the company to Lockheed Martin. As president of strategic venture development for Lockheed Martin, he focused on turning Lockheed Martin’s military technologies and programs into global commercial ventures ranging from seabed mining to nanomaterials.
Verma was featured in Florida Tech’s 60th Anniversary special edition book, “60 for 60: Celebrating Sixty Years of Alumni at Florida Institute of Technology.” Copies are available for purchase here.
